Igor Bobkov
Igor Bobkov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently a free agent. He last played for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Before playing professional hockey, Bobkov spent time in the Ontario Hockey League with the London Knights and Kingston Frontenacs. Bobkov represents Russia internationally, and helped them win a gold medal at the 2011 World [Junior Ice Hockey Championships].
Playing career
Bobkov was selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the 3rd round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. After spending a year in Russia, including playing at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Bobkov was selected 53rd overall in the 2010 CHL Import Draft by the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He managed three wins in 21 games playing behind Michael Houser. He was signed by the Ducks to a three-year entry-level contract on October 7, 2010. During the 2011 OHL offseason, Bobkov was traded to the Kingston Frontenacs.Bobkov made his professional debut with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League at the end of the 2010–11 season, after his season with the Knights was over. He joined the Crunch again after the Frontenacs' season was over the following season. Bobkov made the jump to professional hockey full-time with the Norfolk Admirals during the 2012–13 season. During the 2013–14 season, Bobkov split time between the Admirals in the AHL and the Utah Grizzlies of the ECHL.
On August 6, 2015, after not being tendered a contract offer to be retained by the Ducks, Bobkov's Kontinental Hockey League rights were traded from Metallurg Magnitogorsk to Admiral Vladivostok. He was then signed as free agent to a two-year contract with the Russian club.
After three seasons with Admiral, Bobkov left Vladivostok as a free agent, securing a lucrative two-year contract with Avangard Omsk on May 16, 2018.
In the 2020–21 season, Bobkov backstopped in tandem with Šimon Hrubec, helping Avangard to their first KHL championship, posting an 18–7–2 regular season record and collecting 4 post-season wins to claim the Gagarin Cup.
As a free agent following the conclusion of his contract with Avangard, Bobkov signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL on 14 May 2021. In the following 2021–22 season, Bobkov made just 16 appearances with Ak Bars, collecting 7 wins.
Bobkov left Ak Bars at the conclusion of his contract and moved to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL as a free agent, agreeing to a one-year contract on 6 May 2022. In the 2022–23 season, Bobkov made 34 appearances in posting a 14–13–1 record in the regular season.
As a free agent, Bobkov signed a one-year agreement with the KHL's Amur Khabarovsk on 11 May 2023.
During the 2024–25 season, with Khabarovsk out of playoff contention, Bobkov left to join Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk and signed a one-year extension through 2026 on 26 December 2024.
However, after playing just three games with the club, his contract was terminated by mutual agreement in the offseason, making him a free agent.